F-15 Strike Eagle

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F-15 Strike Eagle
developer MicroProse
Publisher MicroProse
Designer Sid Meier , Andy Hollis
First title F-15 Strike Eagle (1984)
Last title F-15 Strike Eagle III
Platform (s) MS-DOS , Amstrad CPC , Apple II , Atari Heimcomputer , Atari ST , Commodore 64 , Commodore Amiga , Game Boy , Game Gear , Mega Drive , MSX , NES , ZX Spectrum
Genre (s) Flight simulation

F-15 Strike Eagle is a series of computer flight simulations by the manufacturer MicroProse , for the development of which Sid Meier and later Andy Hollis were responsible. The three parts of the series appeared in 1984, 1989 and 1992; The focus of the games is the eponymous McDonnell Douglas F-15 in the version F-15E Strike Eagle .

Parts of the series

F-15 Strike Eagle

The first part appeared in 1984 initially for the PC ( MS-DOS ) and was subsequently also for Amstrad CPC , Apple II , Atari home computers , Atari ST , Commodore 64 , Game Boy , Sega Game Gear , MSX , NES and ZX Spectrum converted.

The sole developer of this game was Sid Meier , who largely relied on the experience and program routines of his previously developed game Solo Flight . While the initial PC version only simple four-color CGA - Vector offered, the later conversions on other color palettes and additional presentation possessed of events over raster graphics .

As for the scope of the game, F-15 offers a career mode in which the player gives his pilot a name and then selects one of seven scenarios in which successes will lead to promotions and medals. All scenarios have historical backgrounds; In some cases, however, the use of F-15 aircraft at the times mentioned is fictional. Selectable areas of application are:

The player fights against three types of aircraft at these locations, evades three types of anti-aircraft missiles , has to destroy two important ground targets (primary and secondary target) and then return to the starting point.

F-15 Strike Eagle II

The second part appeared in 1989 for the PC and was converted for Commodore Amiga , Atari ST and Sega Mega Drive . The designers were Sid Meier and Andy Hollis , as well as a small team of graphic designers and other programmers. The game engine was practically identical to that of the 1988 game F-19 Stealth Fighter , on which Meier and Hollis had also worked. From a graphic point of view, the complete representation with polygonal graphics, which also affected effects such as fire and smoke, was striking . Also new was compatibility with the EGA (16 colors) and VGA / MCGA (256 colors) standards, as well as a brightening of the sky and earth towards the horizon.

Again, the game only offers a career mode. The number of scenarios was reduced to four, which, however, were implemented in great detail for the conditions at the time and, in addition to striking coastlines, also show mountains, cities, rivers, roads, clouds and rural buildings. These scenarios, again provided with historical echoes, are:

This time the player competes against many different types of aircraft and FlaRak, the type and number of which varies from mission to mission. For example, in the Gulf scenario, the Iranian military also has American-made aircraft and missiles. The available armament of the player is the same in every mission and includes 1000 rounds for the M61 cannon , four AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles against air targets and six AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground Missiles.

Again, the player must destroy the primary and secondary objective and then return to the base, which is easier or more difficult depending on the difficulty. Although the player fights alone against the opponent, there are friendly aircraft of the types F-4E Phantom or Boeing 767 near friendly airfields . However, these do not intervene in the action and can at best be accidentally shot down by the player ( friendly fire ), which earns the player minus points in the evaluation of the mission result.

An additional diskette was released for F-15 Strike Eagle II in 1992, which expanded the game by three new scenarios ( Operation Desert Storm , Central Europe and North Cape ). The latter two scenarios were taken directly from F-19 Stealth Fighter . Curiously, the game's engine was also used in 1991 in a game called F-117A Nighthawk, also published by MicroProse .

Evaluation in professional journals

In the game review, Max Magenauer praised individual aspects of the game in the Amiga Joker , which gave the F-15 Strike Eagle II a fun rating of 89% and gave it the "Hit" award:

"[...] In some respects the game even leaves F-16 Falcon behind in terms of realism [...] . […] The landscapes are simply fantastic, the vector graphics move […] almost at the speed of light […]. The handling is beyond any doubt (how could it be otherwise?). [...] There was only one point that bothered us in this game: There are not too many weapon systems - but on the other hand this is not a big deal because it is not really noticeable in the stressful hectic of the fighting. "

- Max Magenauer

The Power Play evaluated the Amiga port of the game in issue 9/91 with 75%, and commented, "The F 15 II Who aerial combat action with a touch simulation like and harbors no moral concerns, which is recommended."

F-15 Strike Eagle III

The third part appeared in 1992 and was developed exclusively for the PC under the sole direction of Andy Hollis. Technically, this part was groundbreaking at the time, because despite the simple flight model, the part was particularly convincing in terms of graphics. Completely textured 3D graphics were used and the scenarios were created using satellite images. In this way, the landscape graphics in particular were very convincing, and weather and light effects also made a significant contribution.

Some innovations and steps to a more realistic simulation appeared playfully. In addition to the career mode , the player could start immediate missions or use the new multiplayer mode . In addition, the player could choose his own weapon configurations before the missions and interact with flight men during the missions .

The number of scenarios dropped to three, two of which had historical models:

With this part the series ended. Andy Hollis then moved to the Electronic Arts company Jane's Interactive , where he developed various games, including a. US Navy Fighters and AH-64D Longbow . The game Jane's F-15 , released in 1998, is considered the unofficial successor to the F-15 series .

Reviews in trade journals

Max Magenauer tested the game in the PC Joker and again gave it a rating of 85% and the rating “Hit”. He commented:

“Part 3 of the series makes the hearts of birds of prey beat faster again - not least thanks to its impressive mix of vector and bitmap graphics. The three scenarios […] can come up with details such as clouding clouds, the flight through the towers of Kuwait City or through plastic mountains is fascinating, and the jet through the smoke of a hit target is impressive. [...] Compared to the bird of prey king " Falcon ", the new eagle may be less complex, but it is always more beautiful to look at. Serious competition could only appear on the horizon with " Strike Commander " [...]. "

- Max Magenauer

In the Power Play, the game was given a rating of 81%. The two editors Michael Hengst and Jürgen Steffen came to different conclusions when assessing the game:

“The Oscar-suspicious intro, the realistic cloud cover and the bitmap explosions are great, I would have liked more detailed buildings and other ground facilities. I've never had any difficulties with the typical F-15 Strike Eagle game sequence: I prefer uncomplicated flying off and fierce fights to hammer simulations à la Falcon 3.0 [...]. Many missions, day and night flights, intelligent opponents and the two-player link mode provide variety and challenges for months. "

- Jürgen Steffen

Michael Hengst, on the other hand, took a different position:

“The model simulations from Microprose were always a touch too boring for me and a bit too simple. […] Unfortunately, the F-15 Strike Eagle 3 doesn't change anything. Because under the neat noble outfit - the graphics look really great - the same simpel simulation is still slumbering as it was two years ago. Simply too little for a hardcore pilot. "

- Michael Stallion

The PC Games tested the game in issue 1/93, calling it related to the rating of 92% "a simulation that focuses primarily in relation to the technical realization and the playability of new standards." The PC Player awarded in Issue 1 / 93 for the game 78 percentage points.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Review of the Amiga Joker for the F-15 Strike Eagle II , issue 5/91
  2. ↑ Reviews of F-15 Strike Eagle II on MobyGames
  3. ↑ Test report on F-15 Strike Eagle III in PC Joker 1/93
  4. ↑ a b Test report on F-15 Strike Eagle III in Power Play 1/93
  5. ↑ Reviews of F-15 Strike Eagle III on MobyGames